LEC Winter Split 2024 Week 3 Preview: Matchups, Favorites, and Games to Watch

27 Dec

Foo Zen-Wen

The LEC returns once again for Week 3 of the 2024 Winter Split regular season. After a tumultuous week of news coming out of Riot’s offices and a string of dramatic developments that have emerged since the start of the season, Week 3 is here with fresh offerings and dramatic new matchups.

Heading into the 3rd week, Strafe Esports has curated a preview for the LEC enjoyer – including the matchups for the week, special matches to keep your calendar clear for this weekend, and the favorites for this competition after the second week of play. Fasten your seatbelts and get ready for another week of the LEC.

Favorites Heading Into LEC Winter Split Week 3

BDS has returned with a vengeance; scoring a perfect week of their own to match SK Gaming. Meanwhile, the kings of Week 1 have fallen to fourth after only winning a single of the matchups this week. Another strong powerhouse is Fnatic, who has been steadily accruing wins, taking another 2-1 week to keep themselves near the top of the board. Unsurprisingly, G2 is keeping up as well, matching with another 2-1 week. However, the Kings of Europe have not reached their full power yet, as can be seen in their still shaky performance after Week 2. On the other end of the board, Rogue and Karmine are vying for last place with Karmine having the slightest of edges with zero wins accrued thus far. Lastly, Vitality has seen a resurgence, having come off an 0-3 week to score a perfect week in retaliation. An attempt to make up for a poor start no doubt and certainly a team to keep an eye on.

Strafe’s Choice: Matches of the Week to Watch

Team Heretics vs Team BDS [27th Jan | 5pm CET]

A true test of BDS' mettle. After their second week perfect run, BDS will be looking to maintain their momentum, for confidence's sake if nothing else. With a fresh-faced ADC surrounded by a battle-hardened roster, BDS is primed to make this Winter Split theirs. Heretics has been a steady middling force in the LEC thus far, with veterans that function as metrics. Beat Heretics, and BDS is well on their way.

Karmine Corp vs Rogue [27th Jan | 9pm CET]

If nothing else enthralls you, the battle at the foot of the mountain rages on. In last place currently, Karmine. Right above them, Rogue. With the split on the line, this one is for all the marbles.

Team Vitality vs Team Heretics [28th Jan | 5pm CET]

A powerhouse returns in Week 2 with a perfect run. Can they maintain it against Heretics? Or will this be where the win streak falls? Heretics themselves have yet to showcase their full strength, with glimpses thus far. Vitality, on the other hand, are starting to heat up and find some semblance of cohesion. Who will mesh better in this clash this weekend?

Fnatic vs Team Heretics [29th Jan | 7pm CET]

Heretics seem to be the central theme of Week 3. Another exciting matchup between the new and old blood. G2 vs Fnatic always excited in 2018 and 2019. This weekend we see a semblance return to the old times. Moreover, Fnatic need to begin breaking out of the middle, and Heretics is there to check them. Can Fnatic break ahead?